Otsego County Department of Health

07/28/2025

Rabies is most often seen among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies.

Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal.

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/

07/21/2025

We are so incredibly grateful for the funding which allowed us to kickstart this awesome project.

For a full presentation on this project visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GPiDLRfxI

Otsego County brought their community garden to the national stage! Abigail Mosenthin, Public Health Educator, and Alex Scorzafava, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, from the Otsego County Health Department, presented their poster at NACCHO360 on Wednesday. Their poster details how they're tackling food insecurity through LHD-led community garden programming which was supported by NYSACHO's Climate and Health Grant Program in its first 2 years. Congratulations!

07/09/2025

Drivers, reduce your speed. Don't be the reason a rider dies in a crash.

Reduce your speed and reduce the risks.

https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/motorcycle-safety

07/03/2025

*** 07-02-2025 BAT TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES***

07/02/2025

Keep your pets in mind this summer as we experience these warm sunny days. For more information visit this resource from the animal humane society;

https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/news/keep-your-pets-safe-during-hot-summer-days

07/01/2025

🌞 Bats Are Back with the Warm Weather! 🦇
As summer heats up, bats become more active—and sometimes find their way into our homes. Here’s what to remember:

✅ When to Capture a Bat:

If a bat bites you or your pet

If bat saliva gets into your eyes, mouth, nose, or an open wound

If you wake up to a bat in your room

If a bat is found near a child, a mentally impaired individual, or someone under the influence

🚫 When You Can Let It Go:

If you’re sure no people or pets had contact with the bat, and none of the above situations apply

📹 Need help capturing a bat safely? Watch this quick demo:
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNw6hkFEtOk

🧤 You’ll need gloves, a small box or coffee can, cardboard, and tape.
Call the Otsego County Department of Health at (607) 547-4230 after securing the bat.

📞 After hours? Contact the Sheriff’s Office at (607) 547-4273 to reach the Public Health Nurse on call.

Let’s keep our families and pets safe this summer! 💛

This video shows the equipment needed and steps to follow to safely capture a bat if you find one in your home or building. It was created by the Minnesota ...

06/23/2025

Use the Cooling Center Finder Map and enter in your address to find a Coolling Center near you. Find a Cooling Center in New York City here. Additional cooling centers may be activated during heat waves. If a cooling center is not available, air-conditioned libraries, supermarkets, and malls are gre...

06/23/2025

Please keep these tips in mind while you're out enjoying the hot weather these next couple of days!

06/20/2025

We encourage everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather we have forecasted for this upcoming week here in Otsego County! That said, please keep the below tips in mind during this heat wave;